AXIS Atlas vs HDFC Regalia Gold vs AXIS Horizon vs HSBC TravelOne

[hellowo₹ld]

This is a wiki post, so anyone with appropriate permissions can edit and make necessary changes.

General Note:​

Redemption calculations are assumptions for illustrative purposes and may vary. Please confirm specific terms directly with card issuers.

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Spoiler: Terminology

• EM: Edge Miles (Axis Rewards)
• RP: Reward Points (HDFC Rewards)
• FYF: First Year Free
• JF: Joining Fee
• LTF: Lifetime Free
• AF: Annual Fee
• BV: Brand Vouchers (e.g., Regalia Gold Milestone Benefit)
• SFV: SmartBuy Flight Voucher (e.g., Regalia Gold Milestone Benefit)
• 3Q/5Q: Quarters (for Regalia Gold milestones)
• TE: Travel Edge (Axis Travel Booking Platform)
• MP: Mile Point (Axis Redemption Value for EM)

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Joining Fee and Benefits:​

Category​	Atlas​	Horizon​	Regalia Gold​	TravelOne​
Joining Fee	₹5900	₹3540	₹2950 (or FYF/LTF)	₹5900
Welcome Benefit	2.5K EM	5K EM	₹2500 Voucher (if fee paid)	₹1000 Cashback + 3K RP (if spent 1L in 90 days)
Annual Fee	₹5900	₹3540	₹2950 (or waived >₹4L spends)	₹5900 (or waived >₹8L spends)
Renewal Benefit	Up to 5K EM (Tier based) 0 (Silver Tier) 2.5K EM (Gold Tier) 5K EM (Platinum Tier)	1.5K EM	None (but waived for >₹4L)	10K RP (>₹12L but fee waived for >₹8L)

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Spend Rewards:​

Category​	Atlas​	Horizon​	Regalia Gold​	TravelOne​
Travel (Airlines, Hotels and Travel EDGE)	5 EM/₹100	5 EM/₹100	4 RP/₹150	4 RP/₹100 (incl. travel aggregators)
Marks & Spencer, Myntra, Reliance Digital, Nykaa!	2 EM/₹100	2 EM/₹100	20 RP/₹150	2 RP/₹100
General	2 EM/₹100	2 EM/₹100	4 RP/₹150	2 RP/₹100
Accelarated Points	5 EM/₹100	5 EM/₹100	20 RP/₹150 (Flights / Redbus / Vouchers / Apple / Myntra / Nykaa / MMT Holiday) 40 RP/₹150 (Hotels / IGP / Jockey / Pharmeasy) 12 RP/₹150 (Train) Upto 4000 RP per month	16 RP/₹100 (Flights) 24 RP/₹100 (Hotels) Upto 18,000 RP per month

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Milestone Benefits:​

Cumulative Spends​	Atlas​	Horizon​	Regalia Gold​	TravelOne​
1.5L Spends/Year	-	-	₹1500 BV (1Q)	-
3L Spends/Year	2.5K EM	-	-	-
5L Spends/Year	-	-	₹4500 BV (3Q) + ₹5000 SFV = ₹9500	-
7.5L Spends/Year	5K EM (Gold Tier)	-	₹ 7500 BV (5Q) + ₹ 5000 SFV = ₹12.5K	-
12L Spends/Year	-	-	-	10K RP
15L Spends/Year	10K EM (Platinum Tier)	-	-	-

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Redemption Options:​

Domestic Options​	Atlas​	Horizon​	Regalia Gold​	TravelOne​
TravelEdge/SmartBuy	1 EM = ₹1	1 EM = ₹1	1 RP = ₹0.50p	-
Accor, Marriott, Wyndham (Gr. A) AirIndia, ITC, IHG (Gr. B)	2 EM = 1 MP (Marriott) 1 EM = 2 MP (Others) Group A: 30K EM Limit/Year Group B: 1.2L EM Limit/Year	1 EM = 1 MP Group A: 1L EM Limit/Year Group B: 4L EM Limit/Year	1 RP = up to 0.5 MP (Accor, Wyndham)	1 RP = ₹1
Products/Vouchers	1 EM = ₹0.20p	1 EM = ₹0.20p	1 RP = upto ₹ 0.35p Gold Catelogue: 1 RP = 0.65p	-
Statement Credit	-	-	1 RP = ₹0.20p	-

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Lounge Access:​

Location​	Atlas​	Horizon​	Regalia Gold​	TravelOne​
Domestic	8 (Silver), 12 (Gold), 18 (Platinum)	32 visits (VISA), 24 visits (MC)	12 visits	6 visits
International	4 (Silver), 6 (Gold), 12 (Platinum)	8 visits	6 visits	4 visits

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Exclusions:​

• Atlas: Jewlry, Rent, Govt., Insurance, Fuel, Utilities, Wallet
• Horizon: Rent, Govt., Insurance, Fuel, Utilities, Wallet, Education, Transportation & Toll
• Regalia Gold: Rent, Govt., Wallet
• TravelOne: Jewlry, Rent, Govt., Insurance, Fuel, Utilities, Wallet, Education

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Net Return:

🔎 How to Read This:​

• Left % = Max achievable return (strategic usage, travel partners, milestone benefits, accelarated points).
• Right % = Minimum return (basic redemptions with plain spends).
• — = No defined milestone/reward for that spend level.

Spoiler: More Detailed

Ranges in percentage (e.g., 9.4% to -0.27%) explain best-to-worst-case returns (possible return on your spending after factoring in joining fees, and milestone bonuses for specific spending levels).

• Left Value (e.g., 9.4%)
  • This is the maximum reward rate achievable through optimal usage, like earning on Travel Edge purchases and redeeming at a high value (e.g., 1 mile = 2 INR). This rate takes effort but can be reached with strategic spending.
• Right Value (e.g., -0.27%)
  • This is the minimum achievable rate through regular spending and basic redemption (e.g., 1 mile = 1 INR). This is straightforward and possible for all cardholders.
• So, for any given spending amount, you can expect a reward rate between these two values. The lower end is your minimum return, while the upper end is achievable with careful planning.

= (Spend Rewards + Milestone Benefits + Welcome Benefits - Fee) / Spends

Cumulative Spends / Year	Atlas (1 EM = ₹2 → ₹1)	Horizon (1 EM = ₹1)	Regalia Gold (1 RP = ₹0.50)	TravelOne (1 RP = ₹1)
₹1.5L	9.4% → -0.27%	5.97% → 2.97%	13.03% → 2.03%	22.73% → 2.73%
₹3L	11.36% → 1.7%	5.48% → 2.48%	7.01% → 1.68%	23.36% → 2.36%
₹5L	10.82% → 1.82%	5.29% → 2.29%	8.47% → 3.14%	23.62% → 2.62%
₹7.5L	11.21% → 2.21%	—	8.27% → 2.94%	23.74% → 2.14%
₹12L	—	—	—	19.67% → 2.67%
₹15L	11.27% → 2.44%	—	—	—

Spoiler: More Detailed

Cumulative Spends​	Atlas (1 EM = ₹2 to ₹1)​	Horizon (1 EM = ₹1)​	Regalia Gold (1 RP = ₹0.50p)​	TravelOne (1 RP = ₹1)​
1.5L Spends/Year	10K EM to 5.5K EM - 5.9K Fee (JF) = 9.4% to -0.27%	12.5K to 8K EM - 3540 Fee (JF) = 5.97% to 2.97%	40K RP to 4K RP - 450 Fee (JF) = 13.03% to 2.03%	36K RP to 6K RP - 1900 Fee (JF) = 22.73% to 2.73%
3L Spends/Year	20K EM to 11K EM - 5.9K Fee (JF) = 11.36% to 1.7%	20K to 11K - 3540 Fee (JF) = 5.48% to 2.48%	40K RP to 8K RP - 450 Fee (JF) = 7.01% to 1.68%	72K RP to 9K RP - 1900 Fee (JF) = 23.36% to 2.36%
5L Spends/Year	30K EM to 15K EM - 5.9K Fee (JF) = 10.82% to 1.82%	30K to 15K - 3540 Fee (JF) = 5.29% to 2.29%	66.67K RP to 13.33K RP - 450 Fee (JF) = 8.47% to 3.14%	120K RP to 13K RP - 1900 Fee (JF) = 23.62% to 2.62%
7.5L Spends/Year	45K EM to 22.5K EM - 5.9K Fee (JF) = 11.21% to 2.21%	-	1L RP to 20K RP - 450 Fee (JF) = 8.27% to 2.94%	180K RP to 18K RP - 1900 Fee (JF) = 23.74% to 2.14%
12L Spends/Year	-	-	-	238K RP to 47K RP - 1900 Fee (JF) = 19.67% to 2.67%
15L Spends/Year	87.5K EM to 42.5K EM - 5.9K Fee (JF) = 11.27% to 2.44%	-	-	-

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✅ Key Takeaways:

• Horizon → Best for small-medium spends (<₹3L) and simple 1:1 EM redemption.
• Atlas → Great for heavy spenders who maximize travel partner conversions (1:2 MP).
• Regalia Gold → Balanced, good milestone rewards up to ₹7.5L; flexible redemption.
• TravelOne → Strong for flight/hotel spends; shines at higher spend levels.

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[Ak2222]

How are you getting Atlas LTF, opening new salary account?

C2C basis my colleague suggested

 

[Cardzmania]

C2C basis my colleague suggested

What is the criteria, could you please elaborate little more.....

 

[TECHXYZ]

this is best comparison seen!

 

[Ak2222]

What is the criteria, could you please elaborate little more.....

He mentioned 5L limit and 1year vintage, have not spoken to agent yet just discussion going on. Probably you could try with your RM/nearest branch as well.

 

[hellowo₹ld]

Closed Regalia (Old), TataNeu Infinity (LTF). No retention offer nor agreed for upgrade to Regalia Gold. Meanwhile continuing with Horizon for now.. But Out of 4, Regalia Gold and Atlas better options whereas TravelOne - avoid.

 

[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

If you could add the accelerator program and other recent changes and recalculate, it would be great.

 

[hellowo₹ld]

If you could add the accelerator program and other recent changes and recalculate, it would be great.

done, check once

 

[hellowo₹ld]

General note: high % reward rate looks tempting for all cards but do note that those are only for frequent travellers and who spent on travel annually atleast 5L (only on travel related be it flight or hotel).

For regular users afaik, who travels 1 or 2 times in a year and barely spent 1L or 2L for that holiday purpose..

A cashback card would be enough and gain same value that they might get through rewards.

Dont look only numbers but know ur intended purpose of card and choose only if it suits you.

 

[neogen]

General note: high % reward rate looks tempting for all cards but do note that those are only for frequent travellers and who spent on travel annually atleast 5L (only on travel related be it flight or hotel).

As I understand, that travel spend has to be through their portal, NOT offline payment at property or direct payment to Airlines. So that accelerator is useless.

I guess, for my use case Atlas still make sense, as I book directly through Airlines/Hotels, never ever through any aggregators.

 

[hellowo₹ld]

As I understand, that travel spend has to be through their portal, NOT offline payment at property or direct payment to Airlines. So that accelerator is useless.

I guess, for my use case Atlas still make sense, as I book directly through Airlines/Hotels, never ever through any aggregators.

depends on milestone achievement, if thats not possible (atleast 5L) then all cards more or like same return.

 

[BK7]

Thanks for the info, I ran some calculations with ChatGPT and please correct me if I’m wrong.


📊 2-Year Credit Card Comparison (₹3L Spend/Year → ₹1L Travel + ₹2L Non-Travel)

Card	Joining / Renewal Fee	Welcome Benefit	Renewal Benefit	Avg Reward Rate (₹3L Spend)	2-Year Total Value	2-Year Net Benefit	Effective Return
Axis Atlas	₹5,900 / yr	2,500 EM (1st yr only)	Tier-based (0 @ <₹7.5L)	~7.4% Yr-1, ~5.7% Yr-2	₹51,000 (pts value)	₹39,200	~6.5%
Axis Horizon	₹3,540 / yr	5,000 EM	1,500 EM/yr	~4% Yr-1, ~2.3% Yr-2	₹26,000	₹18,920	~3.2%
HDFC Regalia Gold	₹2,950 / yr (waiver @ ₹4L spend)	₹2,500 voucher + memberships	None	~2.1% each year (SmartBuy use)	₹18,600	₹12,700	~2.1%
HSBC TravelOne	₹5,898 / yr (waiver @ ₹8L spend)	₹7,000 welcome (cashback + vouchers + pts)	None	~3.0% Yr-1, ~0.7% Yr-2	₹23,000	₹11,204	~1.9%

📊 2-Year Comparison (₹25k Travel + ₹2.75L Non-Travel / Year)​

Card	Joining / Renewal Fee	Welcome Benefit	Renewal Benefit	Reward Earnings (per year)	2-Year Total Value	2-Year Net Benefit	Effective Return
Axis Atlas	₹5,900 / yr	2,500 EM (Yr-1)	Tier-based (0 @ <₹7.5L)	Travel ₹25k → 1,250 EM; Non-travel ₹2.75L → 5,500 EM; Milestone +2,500 EM ⇒ Yr-1: 9,250 EM, Yr-2: 9,000 EM (×2 value = ₹18.5k & ₹18k)	₹36,500	₹24,700	~4.1%
Axis Horizon	₹3,540 / yr	5,000 EM	1,500 EM/yr	Travel ₹25k → 1,250 EM; Non-travel ₹2.75L → 5,500 EM; ⇒ Yr-1: 11,750 EM, Yr-2: 8,250 EM (₹11.8k + ₹8.3k)	₹20,000	₹12,920	~2.2%
HDFC Regalia Gold	₹2,950 / yr (waiver @ ₹4L)	₹2,500 voucher + memberships	None	Travel ₹25k → ~₹325 (1.3% base, unless SmartBuy used); Non-travel ₹2.75L → ~₹3,575; ⇒ ~₹3,900 /yr	₹10,300	₹4,400	~0.7%
HSBC TravelOne	₹5,898 / yr (waiver @ ₹8L)	₹7,000 welcome (cashback + pts)	None	Travel ₹25k → ₹1,000; Non-travel ₹2.75L → ₹5,500 ⇒ ₹6,500 /yr	₹20,000	₹8,200	~1.4%

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[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

Atlas still remains the best. But what next after that in Axis - Olympus/Horizon/Magnus?

 

[hellowo₹ld]

Thanks for the info, I ran some calculations with ChatGPT and please correct me if I’m wrong.

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for 3L a simple cashback card is enogh.

 

[neogen]

Thanks for the info, I ran some calculations with ChatGPT and please correct me if I’m wrong.


📊 2-Year Credit Card Comparison (₹3L Spend/Year → ₹1L Travel + ₹2L Non-Travel)

Card	Joining / Renewal Fee	Welcome Benefit	Renewal Benefit	Avg Reward Rate (₹3L Spend)	2-Year Total Value	2-Year Net Benefit	Effective Return
Axis Atlas	₹5,900 / yr	2,500 EM (1st yr only)	Tier-based (0 @ <₹7.5L)	~7.4% Yr-1, ~5.7% Yr-2	₹51,000 (pts value)	₹39,200	~6.5%
Axis Horizon	₹3,540 / yr	5,000 EM	1,500 EM/yr	~4% Yr-1, ~2.3% Yr-2	₹26,000	₹18,920	~3.2%
HDFC Regalia Gold	₹2,950 / yr (waiver @ ₹4L spend)	₹2,500 voucher + memberships	None	~2.1% each year (SmartBuy use)	₹18,600	₹12,700	~2.1%
HSBC TravelOne	₹5,898 / yr (waiver @ ₹8L spend)	₹7,000 welcome (cashback + vouchers + pts)	None	~3.0% Yr-1, ~0.7% Yr-2	₹23,000	₹11,204	~1.9%

📊 2-Year Comparison (₹25k Travel + ₹2.75L Non-Travel / Year)​

Card	Joining / Renewal Fee	Welcome Benefit	Renewal Benefit	Reward Earnings (per year)	2-Year Total Value	2-Year Net Benefit	Effective Return
Axis Atlas	₹5,900 / yr	2,500 EM (Yr-1)	Tier-based (0 @ <₹7.5L)	Travel ₹25k → 1,250 EM; Non-travel ₹2.75L → 5,500 EM; Milestone +2,500 EM ⇒ Yr-1: 9,250 EM, Yr-2: 9,000 EM (×2 value = ₹18.5k & ₹18k)	₹36,500	₹24,700	~4.1%
Axis Horizon	₹3,540 / yr	5,000 EM	1,500 EM/yr	Travel ₹25k → 1,250 EM; Non-travel ₹2.75L → 5,500 EM; ⇒ Yr-1: 11,750 EM, Yr-2: 8,250 EM (₹11.8k + ₹8.3k)	₹20,000	₹12,920	~2.2%
HDFC Regalia Gold	₹2,950 / yr (waiver @ ₹4L)	₹2,500 voucher + memberships	None	Travel ₹25k → ~₹325 (1.3% base, unless SmartBuy used); Non-travel ₹2.75L → ~₹3,575; ⇒ ~₹3,900 /yr	₹10,300	₹4,400	~0.7%
HSBC TravelOne	₹5,898 / yr (waiver @ ₹8L)	₹7,000 welcome (cashback + pts)	None	Travel ₹25k → ₹1,000; Non-travel ₹2.75L → ₹5,500 ⇒ ₹6,500 /yr	₹20,000	₹8,200	~1.4%

​

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My annual travel spends are in the range of 8 ~ 15 L. No aggregater bookings, all are direct thru hotel / airlines. Which one is best? I guess sitll Atlas? I am Atlas Gold btw.

 

[hellowo₹ld]

My annual travel spends are in the range of 8 ~ 15 L. No aggregater bookings, all are direct thru hotel / airlines. Which one is best? I guess sitll Atlas? I am Atlas Gold btw.

yes atlas and for flexibility upto 8L spends, regalia gold.

 

[Manu_CK]

Thanks for the info, I ran some calculations with ChatGPT and please correct me if I’m wrong.


📊 2-Year Credit Card Comparison (₹3L Spend/Year → ₹1L Travel + ₹2L Non-Travel)

Card	Joining / Renewal Fee	Welcome Benefit	Renewal Benefit	Avg Reward Rate (₹3L Spend)	2-Year Total Value	2-Year Net Benefit	Effective Return
Axis Atlas	₹5,900 / yr	2,500 EM (1st yr only)	Tier-based (0 @ <₹7.5L)	~7.4% Yr-1, ~5.7% Yr-2	₹51,000 (pts value)	₹39,200	~6.5%
Axis Horizon	₹3,540 / yr	5,000 EM	1,500 EM/yr	~4% Yr-1, ~2.3% Yr-2	₹26,000	₹18,920	~3.2%
HDFC Regalia Gold	₹2,950 / yr (waiver @ ₹4L spend)	₹2,500 voucher + memberships	None	~2.1% each year (SmartBuy use)	₹18,600	₹12,700	~2.1%
HSBC TravelOne	₹5,898 / yr (waiver @ ₹8L spend)	₹7,000 welcome (cashback + vouchers + pts)	None	~3.0% Yr-1, ~0.7% Yr-2	₹23,000	₹11,204	~1.9%

📊 2-Year Comparison (₹25k Travel + ₹2.75L Non-Travel / Year)​

Card	Joining / Renewal Fee	Welcome Benefit	Renewal Benefit	Reward Earnings (per year)	2-Year Total Value	2-Year Net Benefit	Effective Return
Axis Atlas	₹5,900 / yr	2,500 EM (Yr-1)	Tier-based (0 @ <₹7.5L)	Travel ₹25k → 1,250 EM; Non-travel ₹2.75L → 5,500 EM; Milestone +2,500 EM ⇒ Yr-1: 9,250 EM, Yr-2: 9,000 EM (×2 value = ₹18.5k & ₹18k)	₹36,500	₹24,700	~4.1%
Axis Horizon	₹3,540 / yr	5,000 EM	1,500 EM/yr	Travel ₹25k → 1,250 EM; Non-travel ₹2.75L → 5,500 EM; ⇒ Yr-1: 11,750 EM, Yr-2: 8,250 EM (₹11.8k + ₹8.3k)	₹20,000	₹12,920	~2.2%
HDFC Regalia Gold	₹2,950 / yr (waiver @ ₹4L)	₹2,500 voucher + memberships	None	Travel ₹25k → ~₹325 (1.3% base, unless SmartBuy used); Non-travel ₹2.75L → ~₹3,575; ⇒ ~₹3,900 /yr	₹10,300	₹4,400	~0.7%
HSBC TravelOne	₹5,898 / yr (waiver @ ₹8L)	₹7,000 welcome (cashback + pts)	None	Travel ₹25k → ₹1,000; Non-travel ₹2.75L → ₹5,500 ⇒ ₹6,500 /yr	₹20,000	₹8,200	~1.4%

​

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Need to redo the calculation; this is not correct. Please put the numbers in an excel and re-calculate.

e.g.
- Atlas has too many exclusions. Hence, if your overall spends are only 3L, you will never hit the 1st milestone of 2500EM at 3L spends.
- Regalia Gold has quarterly rewards if you are spending 1.5L in a quarter (say planned or emergency)

Infact both Atlas and Regalia Gold will yield values on slightly higher spends; say 5L or above. This comparison puts the numbers against 8L spends in an year and Regalia Gold wins on raw rewards.

Another point to consider is that both Axis variants doesn't have any fee waiver, HSBC is at 12L. Only Regalia Gold is at 4L, which may be easier for you achieve (which in turn increases your reward percentage).

Hence, the best bet for you is HDFC Regalia Gold based on your spends.

 

[sourpai]

Need to redo the calculation; this is not correct. Please put the numbers in an excel and re-calculate.

e.g.
- Atlas has too many exclusions. Hence, if your overall spends are only 3L, you will never hit the 1st milestone of 2500EM at 3L spends.
- Regalia Gold has quarterly rewards if you are spending 1.5L in a quarter (say planned or emergency)

Infact both Atlas and Regalia Gold will yield values on slightly higher spends; say 5L or above. This comparison puts the numbers against 8L spends in an year and Regalia Gold wins on raw rewards.

Another point to consider is that both Axis variants doesn't have any fee waiver, HSBC is at 12L. Only Regalia Gold is at 4L, which may be easier for you achieve (which in turn increases your reward percentage).

Hence, the best bet for you is HDFC Regalia Gold based on your spends.

What specific exclusion are you talking about? HSBC travel one has same set of exclusions. Infact it is worse than Atlas due to education exclusion. Only HDFC regalia gold is better when compared to Atlas

 

[neogen]

Does travelone gets same reward multiplier in case of direct hotel and airlines booking?